illness

noun

ill·​ness ˈil-nəs 

1

a

: sickness sense 2

b

: an unhealthy condition of body or mind

2

obsolete

a

: wickedness

b

: unpleasantness

Synonyms

• affection
• ail
• ailment
• bug
• complaint
• complication
• condition
• disease
• disorder
• distemper
• distemperature
• fever
• ill
• infirmity
• malady
• sickness
• trouble

Examples of illness in a Sentence

Her body was not able to defend itself against illness.

Hundreds of soldiers died from illness and hunger.

He showed no signs of illness.

Scientists have not yet found a cure for this illness.

cancer, diabetes, and other illnesses

She died at the age of 60 after a brief illness.

Recent Examples on the Web

Although most bacterial strains are harmless, some strains can make people sick and cause diarrhea, urinary tract infections, respiratory illness or pneumonia, according to the CDC. —Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024

Because of these shifts, pregnant people can get sicker than others from a variety of illnesses and infections, including the flu. —Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024

Most of the illnesses were concentrated in two states: Colorado and Nebraska. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 24 Oct. 2024

There are no signs of E. coli illnesses linked to those restaurants. —Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1500, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing illness

• bipolar illness
• illness anxiety disorder
• manic-depressive illness
• mental illness

Kids Definition

illness

noun

ill·​ness ˈil-nəs 

1

: an unhealthy condition of body or mind

2

: sickness sense 2

Medical Definition

illness

noun

ill·​ness ˈil-nəs 

: an unhealthy condition of body or mind : sickness